8 year old rabbit

Question
i have an 8 year old mini rex intact female who has spent most of her life outside in a hutch. When i moved away for school, I left her in the care of my family and she seems to be doing great. This weekend, however, i found a small mass under one of her nipples which is what i can only assume to be a mammary tumor of some sort. She's always been a nervous bunny, of course, and i'm worried that surgery or even just numerous vet visits would stress her out. I know she's lived a good long life, but at the same time, I feel bad not doing anything about it. She's still eating and drinking and plays when she's out. What is your opinion?

Answer
Hi,

I would take her to a good rabbit vet to be looked at.  Cancer is not something you want to mess around with and cancer in rabbits can be very painful if nothing is done about it.  I am pretty sure you don't want her to go out like this.

If she is in otherwise good shape, she could get treatment by some surgery and pain meds.  Depending on the type of cancer, it may be a slow cancer that is more treatable.  It could be benign tumors.  But you needto get in to a good rabbit vet to know what you and her are up against and the options available.

Remember that in cases of cancer in animals, the goal is not to cure, it is to maximize the quality of life for the animal.  If she is otherwise healthy, she may be a good candidate for surgery (removal of tumors) and cancer meds, and pain meds.  The cancer may be isolated in one or two areas making it easier to deal with now.  

Get in to a good rabbit vet. Don't just give up on her.  If she is enjoying life and still loves eating and you and gets excited for treats and meals and companionship, she has not yet given up.  IF you go after it early (which it sounds like it may be in the early stages) you can really knock it down hard, give her some anti-cancer drugs, you will extend her life and keep her at a high quality of life a lot longer than waiting.  

Eight years old is not 'a long life' by today's standards.  Fixed house rabbits live 10-12 years (and easily, more) at a high quality of life.  The key for you is finding a good rabbit vet who knows how to deal with this, or knows a specialist that deals with cancer in rabbits.

Start here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.

If that doesn't work, go to www.rabbit.org  and call their national office and talk with someone there about the cancer situation and they may have better tailored info for you.

Lee